🌊 Understanding Liquid Glass: The Design Revolution

iPadOS 26 brings the same Liquid Glass design language as iOS 26, watchOS 26, and macOS Tahoe—but on iPad's larger canvas, the effect is even more striking.

What Actually Changed:

• Interface elements behave like real glass with depth and translucency
• Lock Screen features adaptive time positioning and 3D spatial scenes
• Home Screen supports Clear, Tinted, Light, and Dark icon styles
• Navigation and controls refract and reflect content in real-time
• Windows and menus have refined, rounded corners with fluid animations

If It's Too Much: Settings → Accessibility → Display & Text Size → Reduce Transparency

This tones down the glassy effects significantly, especially helpful on older iPads where animations might affect performance.

🪟 The Revolutionary Windowing System: iPad's Biggest Transformation

iPadOS 26 introduces what Apple calls "the biggest iPadOS release ever"—and it's no exaggeration. The entirely new windowing system fundamentally reimagines what iPad can be.

Three Multitasking Modes

During setup (or anytime in Settings), choose how you want to work:

1. Full-Screen Apps

• Traditional iPad experience
• One app fills the entire screen
• Simplest, most focused mode
• Note: Split View and Slide Over have been removed in this mode

2. Windowed Apps (Default, recommended)

• Freely resizable windows
• Mac-like window controls
• Multiple windows visible simultaneously
• Maintains iPad's touch-first simplicity

3. Stage Manager

• Groups of windows in distinct "stages"
• Still available but no longer default
• Now works on ALL iPadOS 26-compatible devices (not just M-series)
• Hidden in Settings rather than Control Center

To Switch Modes: Settings → Multitasking & Gestures → Choose: Full-Screen Apps, Windowed Apps, or Stage Manager

Understanding Windowed Apps Mode

This is the game-changer. Here's how it works:

Starting an App:

• First launch: App opens full-screen (familiar iPad behavior)
• Bottom-right corner: Small resize handle appears
• Drag this handle to resize the window
• Window can be any size you want

Window Controls (Traffic Lights):

Like macOS, each window has three colorful buttons in the top-left:

• 🔴 Red (Close): Closes the window
• 🟡 Yellow (Minimize): Minimizes window to app icon (tap icon to restore)
• 🟢 Green (Fullscreen/Tile): Makes window fullscreen OR (press and hold) shows tiling options

Window Tiling:

Press and hold the green button (or any traffic light) to see tiling options:

• Left Half: Window fills left 50% of screen
• Right Half: Window fills right 50%
• Top Half: Window fills top 50%
• Bottom Half: Window fills bottom 50%
• Quarter Screen: Choose any corner for 25% of screen
• Two-Thirds: Window takes 2/3, leaving 1/3 for another app
• Fullscreen: Window fills entire display

Gesture-Based Tiling:

You can also "fling" windows using touch:

• Fling left/right: Window snaps to half-screen
• Fling up: Window goes fullscreen
• Fling down: Window minimizes

The Magic:

• Drag an app icon from Dock onto an existing window → new window opens
• iPad remembers your layout: when you reopen an app, it appears exactly where and how you left it
• Open multiple windows of the same app (Safari, Notes, Pages, etc.)

How Many Windows?

Apple says "unlimited," but practical limits exist:

• M-series iPads & 2024/2025 models: Up to 12 windows visible/active simultaneously
• Older iPads: Same number can be open, but only 4 are fully active at once (others pause to preserve performance)

Exposé: Seeing Everything at Once

To Enter Exposé:

• Swipe up and hold from bottom edge with one finger
• Or swipe up with four fingers on trackpad

What You See: All open windows spread out in organized grid

Why It's Useful: Quickly find and switch to any window—essential when you have many apps open

To Select Window: Tap the one you want → it comes to front

The Menu Bar

For the first time, iPad has a menu bar—but it's hidden until you need it.

To Access:

• Touch: Swipe down from top of screen
• Mouse/Trackpad: Move cursor to top edge (auto-appears)

What's In It:

• App-specific commands (File, Edit, View, etc.)
• Window management options
• Settings and preferences
• Search within menu (start typing to filter commands)

Why It Matters: Access powerful features without memorizing gestures. Developers can add their own menu items, bringing desktop-class functionality to iPad apps.

To Hide: Swipe up or move cursor away from top—menu disappears

The Shelf: Multiple Windows of Same App

Open multiple documents or windows in one app:

To See Shelf:

• Tap app icon in Dock while app is open
• Shelf appears showing all windows of that app
• Tap any thumbnail to switch to it
• Or tap "+" to create new window

Example Use Cases:

• Safari: Compare multiple web pages side-by-side
• Pages: Reference one document while writing another
• Notes: Keep meeting notes open while reviewing project notes
• Mail: Draft email in one window, reference another email in second window

Split Screen Mode

When two apps are side-by-side occupying full height, you enter Split Screen:

Characteristics:

• Divider line appears between apps
• Drag divider to adjust screen space allocation
• Works like traditional iPad Split View
• Familiar for long-time iPad users

To Create:

• Tile two windows to left and right halves
• Or fling one app left, another right
• Automatically enters Split Screen mode

The Desktop

Tap any empty space → all windows swoop aside, revealing desktop (wallpaper).

Why:

• Quick access to widgets
• Reveal Dock without swiping
• See your wallpaper
• Clean visual reset

To Return: Tap any window or swipe up

Stage Manager (Still Available)

Stage Manager hasn't disappeared—it's just moved.

To Enable: Settings → Multitasking & Gestures → Stage Manager

How It Works:

• Create groups of windows for specific tasks
• Recent apps list on left side
• Active group in center
• Switch between groups instantly
• Groups preserved between sessions

Who Should Use It: Users who liked Stage Manager in iPadOS 16-18 can continue using it. Now it works on ALL iPadOS 26-compatible iPads, not just M-series.

Why It's Hidden: Apple is pushing users toward Windowed Apps as the default experience, but Stage Manager remains for those who prefer it.

Slide Over Returns (NEW in iPadOS 26.1)

After being removed in iPadOS 26.0, Slide Over makes a modified return in iPadOS 26.1.

What's Changed:

• Works with one app at a time (not multiple stacked apps like before)
• Slide Over window is now resizable (drag from bottom-right corner)
• Maintains familiar side-sliding behavior from screen edge
• More integrated with new windowing system

How to Use:

• Swipe in from right edge of screen
• Select app from Dock
• App appears as floating overlay
• Resize window as needed
• Swipe off screen edge to dismiss

When to Use Slide Over:

• Quick reference while working in another app
• Calculator during spreadsheet work
• Messages while reading documents
• Notes while browsing web

Note: This is a partial return for fans of the old system. The full multi-app Slide Over stack from iPadOS 15-25 is not returning—iPadOS 26's approach emphasizes the new windowing system as the primary multitasking method.

📂 Files App: Desktop-Class File Management

The Files app receives massive improvements, bringing it closer to macOS Finder.

Updated List View

New Features:

• Resizable columns: Drag column dividers to adjust width
• Collapsible folders: Click triangle to expand/collapse folder hierarchies
• Detailed metadata: Creation date, modification time, file size, custom metadata
• Sorting: Click any column header to sort by that attribute
• Quick Look: Space bar for instant preview (with keyboard)

Why It Matters: Navigate complex project structures efficiently. No more endless scrolling through flat lists.

Customizable Folders

Just like macOS Tahoe:

To Customize:

• Long-press folder
• Select "Customize Folder"
• Choose:
  • Color: Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, gray, custom
  • Symbol: Stars, locks, home icons, and more
  • Emoji: Any emoji as folder marker

System-Wide Folder Color: Settings → change default folder color from blue to any color

Use Cases:

• Color-code projects
• Add visual markers for quick recognition
• Organize by priority or status

Folders in the Dock

New in iPadOS 26: Add folders directly to Dock

How: Drag any folder from Files app to Dock

Interaction: Tap folder in Dock → see contents in fan, grid, or list view

Common Uses:

• Downloads folder for quick file access
• Current project folder
• Documents folder
• Screenshots folder

Default Apps for File Types

Choose which app opens specific file types.

To Set:

• Files app → Long-press a file
• Get Info
• Open With → Choose app
• Tap "Change All" to set as default for this file type

Example: Set all PDFs to open in Preview instead of default viewer

📄 Preview App Comes to iPad

The Mac's powerful PDF app is now on iPad.

Core Features

PDF Viewing & Editing:

• View, annotate, edit PDFs
• Apple Pencil markup support
• Fill forms with handwriting or keyboard
• Sign documents with Apple Pencil or finger

AutoFill Integration: Fill PDF forms using data from Passwords app—names, addresses, email automatically populate fields

Document Scanner: Built-in scanner creates PDFs from paper documents using iPad camera

Image Editing: Basic image adjustments, cropping, rotation

Export Options: Export PDFs in different sizes/formats, merge multiple PDFs, insert blank pages

Why It Matters: No more switching between apps for PDF tasks. Everything happens in one unified, Mac-quality experience.

📞 Phone App on iPad

For the first time, iPad gets a dedicated Phone app.

Powered by Continuity, relays cellular calls from nearby iPhone.

Features

Make & Receive Calls: Use iPad as a full-featured phone

Familiar iPhone Features:

• Recents
• Contacts
• Voicemail with transcriptions
• Keypad
• Favorites

Call Screening: Unknown callers must identify themselves

• Apple Intelligence asks for name and reason
• See transcription on iPad screen
• Decide: Answer, Decline, or Ask More Questions

Hold Assist: Waiting on hold? iPad waits for you

• Detects hold music
• You continue working
• Get notification when live agent joins
• Return to call instantly

Live Translation: Real-time spoken translation during calls (requires Apple Intelligence)

Requirements:

• iPhone 11 or later with iOS 26
• iPad running iPadOS 26
• Both on same Wi-Fi network
• Same Apple Account

Why It's Transformative

Scenario 1: Working on iPad, call comes in. Answer without picking up iPhone. Continue working while talking.

Scenario 2: Customer service call. Use Call Screening to avoid robocalls. Hold Assist eliminates wasted time on hold.

Scenario 3: International call. Live Translation breaks language barriers.

📝 Journal App on iPad

Journal arrives on iPad (also on macOS Tahoe).

Features

Writing Options:

• Type with keyboard
• Handwrite with Apple Pencil
• Voice recordings
• Mix text, photos, videos, audio

Multiple Journals: Create separate journals for different aspects of life:

• Personal reflections
• Work projects
• Travel adventures
• Gratitude journal
• Dream log

Flexible Layouts: Entries feel beautiful and personal with customizable formatting

Map View: See all entries plotted on map based on where you wrote them

Apple Pencil Integration: Write naturally, draw sketches, illustrate ideas

Prompts: Apple Intelligence suggests writing prompts based on:

• Recent photos
• Places visited
• Music listened to
• People spent time with

Privacy:

• Lock journals with password
• End-to-end encryption
• Data never shared with Apple

Syncing: All journals sync via iCloud across iPhone, iPad, and Mac

🎮 Games App: The Gaming Hub

iPadOS 26 includes the new Games app.

What It Includes

Library: All installed games from App Store and Apple Arcade

History: Every game you've ever downloaded—re-download old favorites

Recommendations: Personalized suggestions based on games you love

Game Center: Achievements, leaderboards, friend activity

Challenges: Compete with friends for high scores in supported games

Game Overlay: In-game interface for:

• Adjusting system settings
• Chatting with friends
• Inviting friends to play
• All without leaving your game

Why It Matters: Unified gaming experience. No more hunting through App Store for games or managing Game Center separately.

🎙️ Audio & Video: Pro-Level Capabilities

iPadOS 26 unlocks major improvements for content creators.

Background Tasks

Process large files while using other apps.

What It Enables:

• Export video while working in other apps
• Render audio projects in background
• Process large images without waiting
• Convert file formats while browsing web

How It Works:

• Start intensive task in compatible app
• Switch to different app
• iPad continues processing in background
• Get notification when complete

Who Benefits: Video editors, music producers, photographers, anyone working with large media files

Audio Input Selection

Choose your microphone for each app.

System-Wide Default: Settings → Sounds → Audio Input → Choose default microphone

Per-App Selection: Compatible apps let you choose microphone:

• Built-in microphone
• AirPods Pro/Max
• External USB microphone
• Bluetooth audio devices

Why It Matters: Content creators can use professional microphones for recording while using iPad's speakers for playback—no more audio routing headaches.

Local Capture

High-quality recordings saved locally instead of compressed for transmission.

Use Cases:

• Record FaceTime calls in high quality
• Capture video conference meetings
• Create podcast interviews
• Screen recordings with better audio

How To Enable: In supported apps, look for "Local Capture" option before recording

💬 Messages: Enhanced Communication

Messages gains several iOS 26 features optimized for iPad's larger screen.

Custom Conversation Backgrounds

To Set:

• Open conversation
• Tap contact name at top
• Select "Backgrounds"
• Choose:
  • Photo from library
  • Solid color or gradient
  • Image Playground creation (AI-generated)

Note: Both participants see the background

Polls in Group Chats

Create polls for group decisions:

• Tap "+" in message field
• Select "Poll"
• Enter question and options
• Send
• Watch votes come in live

Unknown Sender Filtering

Route messages from unknown numbers to separate section.

Enable: Settings → Messages → Filter Unknown Senders

On-Device Spam Detection: Apple Intelligence identifies and filters spam automatically

Incoming Call Personalization

Calls on iPad's expansive screen show:

• Large contact photo
• Custom backgrounds
• Rich animations
• More information at a glance

🧠 Apple Intelligence Features

iPadOS 26 expands Apple Intelligence capabilities.

Live Translation

In Messages:

• Incoming texts automatically translate to your language
• Your replies translate back to sender's language

In FaceTime: Live captions appear with translations during video calls

In Phone App: Real-time spoken translation with transcription

Setup: Download language packs in Settings → General → Language & Region → Translation Languages

Genmoji & Image Playground

Genmoji Creation:

• Mix two emoji together
• Combine emoji with text description
• Adjust expressions and attributes
• Create from photos of people (with customization)

Image Playground:

• Generate images from text
• Use in Messages backgrounds
• Add to Journal entries
• ChatGPT integration for additional styles

Writing Tools Everywhere

Select any text → tap "Writing Tools"

Options:

• Proofread
• Rewrite (friendly, professional, concise)
• Summarize
• Key points
• Table format
• Translate

Works system-wide in any text field

Shortcuts with Apple Intelligence

Intelligent Actions:

• Summarize text
• Generate images
• Tap into Apple Intelligence models
• Use ChatGPT for broad knowledge

Model Selection:

• On-Device: Fast, private
• Cloud (Private Cloud Compute): More capable
• ChatGPT: Most flexible

Example Workflow:

• Record lecture audio
• Transcribe with Apple Intelligence
• Compare to typed notes
• Identify missed key points
• Add to notes automatically

Reminders Intelligence

Apple Intelligence scans content for action items.

How:

• Select text in Safari, Mail, or Notes
• Right-click → "Add to Reminders"
• Apple Intelligence extracts tasks
• Creates Reminders with appropriate dates
• Optionally organizes into sections

🖥️ Continuity & Ecosystem Features

Universal Control

Use single keyboard and mouse across iPad and Mac.

How It Works:

• Place iPad next to Mac
• Move cursor to screen edge
• Cursor moves onto iPad
• Control iPad with Mac's keyboard and mouse
• Drag files between devices

Handoff

Start task on iPad, continue on Mac or iPhone.

Supported:

• Safari tabs
• Mail drafts
• Notes
• Pages documents
• And more

AirDrop

Share files between Apple devices instantly.

New in iPadOS 26: Enhanced speed and reliability for large files

♿ Accessibility: Innovation for Everyone

Braille Access

Powerful new experience for Braille display users.

Features:

• Direct note-taking
• Document reading
• Calculator
• All without leaving Braille environment

Vehicle Motion Cues

Reduce motion sickness when using iPad in vehicles.

How It Works: Displays subtle animated dots representing vehicle motion

Customization: Adjust dot size, quantity, color, pattern

Accessibility Reader

Systemwide reading mode with extensive options.

To Use: Select text anywhere → "Open in Accessibility Reader"

Options:

• Font customization
• Color adjustments
• Spacing controls
• Spoken Content support

🏠 Home Screen Customization

Icon Styles

Settings → Home Screen → Icon & Widget Style

Options:

• Default: Traditional full-color icons
• Clear: Transparent icons with Liquid Glass effect (wallpaper shows through)
• Tinted: Single hue across all icons
• Light/Dark: System applies light or dark icon variants

Lock Screen

Adaptive Time Display: Clock repositions to avoid covering important subjects in wallpaper photos

3D Spatial Scenes: Photos gain depth and parallax effect when you tilt iPad

To Enable Spatial Effect:

• Long-press Lock Screen
• Customize
• Select photo
• Toggle "Spatial Scene"

🔋 Battery & Performance

Adaptive Power Mode

Available on: iPads with M1 or newer, iPad with A17 Pro

How It Works: Makes subtle adjustments without blocking background activities:

• Screen refresh rate
• Background app activity
• Network connections
• Processor performance

Enable: Settings → Battery → Power Mode → Adaptive Power

Charging Estimates

Plug in iPad → see estimated time to full charge on Lock Screen

Updates dynamically based on charger wattage and battery temperature

💻 Device Compatibility

iPads That Support iPadOS 26

iPad Pro:

• 13-inch (M4 and later)
• 12.9-inch (3rd generation and later)
• 11-inch (1st generation and later)

iPad Air:

• M2 and later (11-inch and 13-inch)
• M3 and later (11-inch and 13-inch)
• 3rd generation and later

iPad mini:

• A17 Pro
• 5th generation and later

iPad:

• A16
• 8th generation and later

Dropped Support: iPad (7th generation) with A10 chip is NOT compatible

Feature Availability

• Windowed Apps: All iPadOS 26-compatible devices
• Stage Manager: All iPadOS 26-compatible devices (expanded from M-series only)
• Apple Intelligence: Requires M1 or newer, or A17 Pro or newer
• Background Tasks: All iPadOS 26-compatible devices
• Slide Over: All iPadOS 26-compatible devices (returned in 26.1)

Performance Notes:

M-Series iPads:

• Up to 12 windows active simultaneously
• Smooth Liquid Glass animations
• No performance compromises

A-Series iPads (A12-A16):

• Same window capacity
• Only 4 windows fully active at once (others pause)
• Liquid Glass may be slightly less fluid on oldest supported models
• Consider using Tinted Liquid Glass or Reduce Transparency if needed

🚀 Getting Started Checklist

First 15 Minutes After Updating

✅ Choose multitasking mode (Settings → Multitasking & Gestures) ✅ Try windowing (open app → drag resize handle from bottom-right) ✅ Practice Exposé (swipe up and hold from bottom) ✅ Explore menu bar (swipe down from top of screen) ✅ Customize Home Screen (choose icon style: Default, Clear, Tinted, Light/Dark)

Within First Week

✅ Add folders to Dock (drag from Files app) ✅ Customize folders (long-press → Customize Folder → add colors/emoji) ✅ Try Preview app (open PDF, test Apple Pencil markup) ✅ Use Phone app (if you have compatible iPhone nearby) ✅ Create a Journal entry (explore writing with Apple Pencil) ✅ Practice window tiling (press and hold traffic lights) ✅ Try Slide Over (swipe from right edge—NEW in 26.1)

For Maximum Benefit

✅ Set up window layouts for common workflows (iPad remembers them) ✅ Create Shortcuts with Apple Intelligence integration ✅ Customize audio inputs for recording (if content creator) ✅ Explore Games app and Game Overlay features ✅ Try Background Tasks (export video while browsing web) ✅ Master Exposé gesture for quick window switching ✅ Learn menu bar shortcuts for frequent tasks

💡 Advanced Tips & Hidden Features

Quick Desktop Access

Short swipe up from bottom → go to desktop (don't hold—that's Exposé)

Tap empty space → windows swoop aside, revealing desktop

Search from Desktop

Swipe down on desktop → opens Spotlight search

Window Memory

iPad remembers exact size and position of every window. Close and reopen apps—they return exactly where you left them. This works per-app across all your workflows.

Multiple Windows of Same App

Tap app icon in Dock while app is open → see all windows in Shelf → tap "+" for new window

Drag Dock icon onto existing window → creates new window

Traffic Light Shortcuts

Press and hold any traffic light button → see tiling options (not just green button)

Choose half-screen, quarter-screen, or two-thirds layouts

Preview shows exactly where window will go

Split Screen Divider

Drag the divider between two full-height windows to adjust screen allocation

Goes from 50/50 to 70/30 to any ratio you want

Works just like old Split View

Minimize vs. Close

Yellow (Minimize): Window becomes app icon—tap icon to restore with everything intact

Red (Close): Window closes completely—reopen from Dock or App Switcher

Four-Finger Gestures (with Trackpad)

• Swipe up with four fingers: Enter Exposé
• Swipe down with four fingers: Close Exposé or return to app
• Swipe left/right with four fingers: Switch between recent apps

Keyboard Shortcuts for Windowing

• Command+M: Minimize active window
• Command+W: Close active window
• Command+Tab: Switch between apps
• Command+` (backtick): Switch between windows of same app

🔮 What's Coming Next

iPadOS 26.1 (Released October 2025)

Confirmed:

• ✅ Slide Over returns (in modified form)
  • Works with one app at a time
  • Slide Over window is resizable
  • Partial return for fans of old system
• ✅ External microphone improvements
• ✅ Bug fixes and performance enhancements

iPadOS 26.2 (Expected December 2025)

Rumored:

• Additional Apple Intelligence features
• Enhanced windowing system refinements
• More third-party app support for Background Tasks
• Expanded Files app capabilities
• Further Stage Manager improvements

Throughout 2026

Developer Adoption:

• Apps optimizing for new windowing system
• Third-party support for Background Tasks API
• Games adding Play Together challenges
• Enhanced menu bar integration across apps
• More sophisticated window management options

💡 Final Thoughts

iPadOS 26 represents the most significant transformation in iPad's 15-year history. The windowing system doesn't just add features—it fundamentally redefines what iPad can be.

The Real Winners

Students: Write papers in Pages while referencing research in Safari and taking notes—all visible simultaneously. The dream workflow finally works.

Creative Professionals: Edit video in LumaFusion while monitoring email, referencing storyboards in PDF, and chatting with clients—all without window juggling.

Business Users: Spreadsheet analysis in Excel, presentation drafts in Keynote, data source in Safari, communication in Teams—four windows, perfect layout, iPad remembers it all.

Casual Users: Even if you never use advanced windowing, the Phone app, Journal, Preview, and Games app make iPad more capable for everyday tasks.

Mac Users: The iPad is finally a legitimate laptop alternative. The gap has closed dramatically.

The Learning Curve

Windowing System: Takes 2-3 days to feel natural. Muscle memory from Mac helps. Give yourself a week before judging.

Liquid Glass: Same as iOS—try it for two weeks. Your brain adapts to the new aesthetic.

Gestures: Practice Exposé (swipe up and hold). Practice accessing menu bar (swipe down from top). These become second nature quickly.

Traffic Lights: If you've used Mac, this is instant. If you haven't, spend time learning what each button does—especially the hold-for-options behavior.

Slide Over (26.1): If you loved old Slide Over, the new version feels familiar but more refined. If you're new to it, it's a great quick-reference tool.

What's Still Missing

File Management: While improved, Files still isn't quite Finder. Power users may still need workarounds.

External Display Support: Works well but iPad-optimized apps don't always scale perfectly to external monitors.

Pro App Parity: While apps like Final Cut and Logic aren't on iPad, the windowing system makes the iPad Pro environment far more conducive to professional workflows.

Full Slide Over: The multi-app Slide Over stack from iPadOS 15-25 isn't returning. Apple is committed to the new windowing paradigm.

The Bottom Line

iPadOS 26 is the update iPad users have been requesting since 2010. Apple finally answered the fundamental question about iPad's identity: it's not just a big iPhone, and it's not trying to be a Mac—it's a unique computing platform that borrows the best ideas from both.

The windowing system is sophisticated enough for power users while maintaining iPad's touch-first simplicity. That's a difficult balance, and Apple nailed it.

Most importantly: iPad Pro with M4 chip now has software that matches its hardware capabilities. Previous iPads felt artificially limited—powerful chips restricted by simplistic software. That restriction is gone.

If you've dismissed iPad as a serious work device, it's time to reconsider. iPadOS 26 is the turning point.

📱 Version Information

Release Date: September 15, 2025 (public release)

Current Version: iPadOS 26.1 (October 2025)

iPadOS 26.1 Update Notes

Released: October 2025

Key Features:

• Slide Over returns in modified form (resizable, single-app)
• External microphone improvements for Local Capture
• Bug fixes and performance enhancements
• Enhanced window management stability
• Refined gesture recognition

Next Update: iPadOS 26.2 expected mid-December 2025

This guide is current as of iPadOS 26.1 (October 2025) and will continue to evolve as Apple releases additional updates.